Essential learning skills

Children embarking on the learning process need to acquire a number of different skills. Some are part of most children’s make-up – their natural talents- while others need to be encouraged and developed. While it is very important to encourage your child do develop these skills, it is also very important not to overwhelm him. Always remember to take the lead from him and be sensitive to when he has had enough. It is easy to slip into the trap of always answering a question with another question, in the firm belief that you are helping your child by so doing. You may well be, but sometimes it is necessary to give him a straight answer. Just as you may find it exhausting to be stimulated all the time, so may child. I am reminded of watching my new grandson who loves being talked to and stimulated with bright toys. He gurgles and smiles and moves his limbs excitedly for quite some time. Then, suddenly, just as quickly as he appeared to be ‘turned on’, he suddenly ‘switches off’ and falls into a deep sleep. Endless stimulation and concentration is clearly an exhausting business!